Boundary element analysis of fatigue crack propagation micromechanisms in austempered ductile iron

Abstract

The Dual Boundary Element Method (DBEM) is used in this work to model the micro mechanics of fatigue crack propagation in austempered ductile iron (ADI). Emphasis is put in devising accurate procedures for the evaluation of the interaction effects between very close crack-microcrack arrays. Fracture parameters are computed via the so-called one-point displacement formula using special crack-tip elements. Crack propagation is modelled using an incremental crack extension analysis; with crack extensions calculated using a propagation law that accounts for the near-threshold regime. Obtained results are in agreement with experimental observations, providing evidence to fracture mechanics models proposed in the literature. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.